Greek Chicken Seasoning – Make Your Own!

I always bring back from Greece a jar or two of my favorite ready-to-use chicken seasoning (see here for all the Greek “treasures” that I brought back home this last summer), but I often run out of it before the next trip. So before my precious jar is empty again, I decided to measure and mix all the original ingredients and make my own Greek Chicken Seasoning. The result, if not identical, is extremely close the the real one!  My triple tested mix is full of (what else?) oregano and some other easy-to-find ingredients that will be in your store’s spice isle. Although it can be stored in your pantry for long, I bet you’ll soon find yourself making a new batch!

I’m mostly using it on my mom’s fantastic chicken recipe that I will be sharing tomorrow, but it also gives a new taste to a simple roasted or grilled chicken.

Fill a pretty jar, tie a bow and decorate the lid (see how I did it below), and it will also make a great hostess gift or a spicy present that any friend would appreciate, either a new or an experienced cook.

GREEK CHICKEN SEASONING – ONE BATCH

• 4 tablespoons dried oregano leaves
• 4 tablespoons minced onion spice
• 1 tablespoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon yellow mustard seeds
• 1 tablespoon chili pepper crushed
• 1 teaspoon sugar

Grind the mustard seeds partially using a mortar and a pestle (if you do not have one, see notes, below). Add the rest of the ingredients and combine. Rub onto the poultry generously, and cook as you would normally do. As this seasoning does not contain salt, add as much as you need.

Notes:

1. I made two batches to fill this medium size jar.
2. If you do not own a mortar & pestle, place the mustard seeds into a plastic bag, close while removing the air, place within a folded tea towel and crush the seeds with a steak hammer or a regular hammer.
3. To identify a “best by” date for you seasoning, check the expiry date on every spice individual package that you used and choose the closest date.  Mark it on a small piece of paper (or use a sticker) and tape it on the external bottom side of your jar.
4. To decorate a metallic lid, simply use a plastic letter stencil and a permanent marker.  Remove ink with rubbing alcohol if not completely satisfied and start over.